Kim Clijsters shares how she reacted immediately after seeing Madison Keys win the Australian Open

Kim Clijsters recalls her emotional reaction to Madison Keys winning the Australian Open.

The American produced one of the greatest runs to a Grand Slam title as she beat four of the tournament’s top 10 seeded players to win the title.

Five of the 29-year-old’s seven matches at Melbourne Park went to three sets, including against Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals and final.

Many of those within the tennis world were thrilled to see Keys capture her first Grand Slam, including Kim Clijsters, who is a former Australian Open champion in her own right.

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How did Kim Clijsters react to Madison Keys’ Australian Open win?

Kim Clijsters was thrilled after Madison Keys defeated Aryna Sabaleks to win the Australian Open title.

The World number one was aiming to become the first woman to win the title three times in a row since Martina Hingis in 1999.

But Keys produced arguably the best performance of her career to become a Grand Slam champion for the first time and win 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

Clijsters appeared on Andy Roddick’s ‘Served’ podcast to talk about the victory and admitted she became emotional while watching Keys lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

“To see Madi do it and to see the relief and the tears… I got up, I had a coughing moment in the middle of the night, and I checked my phone to see the live score and I was like ‘alright I have to go’,” Clijsters said.

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“It was 4-3 in the first set and I watched it in the middle of the night. It was incredible. I cried. All the emotions, they come back. I am so happy for her.”

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Madison Keys broke records after Australian Open win

After Keys won the Australian Open, she wrote her name into the history books.

She became the oldest player to defeat the World number one and two in semi-finals and final at a Grand Slam event since WTA Ranking records began in 1975.

Furthermore, Keys is the first player in the open era to win the Australian Open in only three three-set matches from the fourth round right through to the final.

After her win, Keys spoke about the importance of how therapy helped her become a Grand Slam champion. “Let’s make it completely clear,” Keys said, laughing. “I really wanted this still. I still really wanted to win a Grand Slam.

“I just wasn’t laying in bed at night thinking I’m a failure if I don’t win one anymore. These are two different things, but I just feel like it’s healthier to just want to win one.

“At the end of the day, I want to win every tournament that I’m in the draw of. I feel like I’m getting a lot better with that being enough and that being OK and I can just play tennis.

“As long as I can continue to want to win matches and tournaments and not need them, then I think things will be good.”

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